Refreshed National Championships at BYD Singapore International Marathon Presented by adidas
- SportPlus News
- Apr 27
- 4 min read
EFGH National Championships to bring prestige and an increased prize purse with enhanced athlete support and new race features
SINGAPORE, 27 April 2026 - The upcoming BYD Singapore International Marathon presented by adidas is set to deliver a stronger platform for Singapore’s top runners following a major refresh of the EFGH National Championships. With a significantly increased prize purse, enhanced athlete support, and new race features, the event signals a renewed commitment to the growth of competitive long-distance running in Singapore.
Organised by SG International Marathon Pte Ltd, the race weekend continues to cement its reputation as Singapore’s flagship marathon while also serving as a key stepping stone for athletes aiming to compete at the 2027 Southeast Asian Games.
Increased Prize Money Elevates Singapore’s National Marathon Championship
A key highlight of the refreshed EFGH National Championships is the appointment of Embed Financial Group Holdings as the event’s naming partner. This partnership comes with a major boost to the prize purse, which has been raised to S$177,500 — a 200% increase compared to previous editions.
The champion of the EFGH National Championships – Marathon will receive S$30,000, tripling the previous winner’s prize. The increased funding reflects a growing commitment to support elite runners and elevate standards within Singapore’s distance running community.
The championship race will also play a crucial role in identifying potential national representatives. The top three male and female finishers in the marathon will secure spots in the provisional selection squad for the 2027 SEA Games.
Merit-Based Selection for Singapore’s Fastest Runners
The EFGH National Championships will feature 60 of Singapore’s top runners — 30 men and 30 women — competing across marathon and half marathon distances.
Selection will follow a merit-based system designed to ensure the country’s strongest athletes are on the start line. The qualification pathway includes:
Automatic entry for podium finishers from the previous National Championships
An invitation to the reigning Half Marathon champion to step up to the marathon
One wildcard entry granted at the organiser’s discretion
Remaining slots filled by athletes with the fastest qualifying times recorded between 1 March 2025 and 31 August 2026
This structured approach reinforces the race’s role as a high-performance platform for Singapore’s distance running talent.
Enhanced Race-Day Support for Elite Singapore Athletes
For the first time in the history of Singapore’s national marathon, elite local athletes competing in the championships will receive enhanced logistical and performance support.
These privileges include:
Waived race registration fees
Transport to the race start line
Access to elite hydration and refuelling stations
A dedicated race pen and separate flag-off
Dedicated broadcast coverage during the race
According to Event Director Shalindran Sathiyanesan, these initiatives are designed to help top athletes focus solely on performance.
“Our mandate is to provide all participants with a great race experience. These measures remove logistical distractions so athletes can focus fully on delivering their best performance.”
Partnership Supports Long-Term Athlete Development
The partnership with Embed Financial Group Holdings reflects a shared belief that elite sport requires sustained support structures.
Executive Chairman Dennis Ng emphasised that Singapore’s athletes should be supported with systems that match their ambitions.
“Singapore has always competed above its size. Our athletes deserve structures that match their ambition. Serious athletes need serious support.”
The initiative is also backed by Singapore Athletics, which views the championships as a vital part of the national performance pathway.
President Lien Choong Luen noted that athletes will continue to receive development opportunities beyond the event, including exposure to overseas competitions as they pursue qualification for major international championships.
Registration Opens for the BYD Singapore International Marathon
Registration for the BYD Singapore International Marathon presented by adidas officially opens today, introducing a new static pricing system. Under this system, race entry fees will remain consistent throughout the registration period until all slots are filled.
The change ensures greater transparency and fairness, eliminating tiered pricing structures that typically reward early registrations.
Local participants will also benefit from lower entry fees compared to international runners, making the event more accessible to Singapore’s running community.
Organisers have capped participation at 52,000 runners across all race categories during the three-day race weekend, helping maintain a high-quality race experience.
New Race Categories and Community Initiatives
This year’s marathon introduces several new initiatives designed to broaden participation and engage the running community.
Youth Development Race
A new 1.6km children’s race for participants aged 10 to 12 years old will make its debut, with 300 slots available on a first-come, first-served basis. The initiative aims to nurture early interest in long-distance running and create opportunities for young athletes to develop their talent.
Crew Challenge
The inaugural Crew Challenge will see teams of four runners compete in the marathon. While each participant runs individually, the team with the fastest combined finishing time will be crowned champions.
Community Training and Themed Runs
Leading up to the race weekend, runners can also participate in training sessions and themed runs organised to build excitement and improve race readiness.
Local Culture on the Course
Participants can expect curated refuel stops featuring local flavours and cultural elements, turning hydration breaks into memorable highlights of the marathon journey.
A National Marathon Experience for Singapore
With expanded athlete support, enhanced competition structures, and new community-driven race features, the BYD Singapore International Marathon presented by adidas continues to evolve as one of Southeast Asia’s premier marathon events.
Organisers hope the refreshed race programme will strengthen Singapore’s distance running ecosystem while delivering an unforgettable race experience for runners of all levels.
Registration is open until 30 September 2026 or until race slots are sold out.
Runners can sign up via the official race registration portal and are encouraged to secure their entries early. #SGIM26 #SingaporeInternationalMarathon
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